Sommaire

The most beautiful secret is that being happy is the only work that you need to accomplish. To each his own santa claus. whether you like it or not, humor and dreams help us confront reality.»

Dr Patrick Pelloux (Conclusion of his chronicle of the n° 914 of Charlie hebdo).

The Paris Exposition Universal in 1900 was one of the last to respect the literal definition of universal. Indeed the expositions which we know since the years 1920 do not have anything any more universal, because all are organized on themes. With the Exposition of 1900, all the subjects were tackled and all the nations could be represented. We consider that this Exposition was the most important commercial and festive event in the history of humanity. Commercial, because all the creative genius of man was presented there that was industrial or artistic. Festive, because for the people the exposition represented above all a place of recreation, strange discoveries and amazement.

The Exposition of Paris 1900 occupied 113 hectares ( 279 acres )in Paris and another 110 hectares ( 272 acres )in the Wood of Vincennes. 76.000 exhibitors presented their creations and more than 156.000 people worked there. During the 212 days the Exposition was open, 52 million visitors attended (population of France in 1900 = 38 million).

Here are the reasons which motivated us to explore in detail this much praised but not very well known event.

We propose three ways for you to approach the World's Fair of Paris in 1900:

The encyclopedia of the Exposition contains topics listed alphabetically; You will find there the concrete topics like the palaces but also the abstract topics like the budget.